Wire-fence machine



N0. 6l0,l26. Patented Aug. 30, 1898.. J. DEWITT & L. C. JOLLY.

WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 3, 1897.) (No mum.)- 2 Sheets-Sheet I;

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WIRE FENCE MACHINE.

(Applicatiaa filed Aug. 3, 1897.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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JOIIN DEWITT AND LESLIE O. JOLLY, OF OOOPERSTOIVN, ILLINOIS.

WIRE-FENCE MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,126, dated August30, 1898. Application filed August a, 1897. sent! No. 646.950.(NomodeL') To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN DEWITT and LESLIE O. JOLLY, of Cooperstown, inthe county of Brown and State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in WVire-Fence Machines; and we do'hereby declarethe following to bea full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to wire-fence machines.

Our object is the provision of a machine of the class described whichwill be of simple, cheap, and durable construction and capable of easymanipulation to twist the wires in an improved manner and maintain thepickets at the proper height and position.

A further object is to provide a novel form of tension device which willbe adapted to prevent tangling or twisting of the wires.

Having the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consistsof a machine of the class described comprising certain improved featuresand novel combinations of parts, more fully set forth hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view; Fig. 2, a sideview; Fig. 3, a detail view of the traveler; Fig. 4, a similar view ofone of the twisters; Fig. 5, a detail view of the connection between thedrive Fig. 6 is a detail view of the picket-gage, and Fig. 7 a detailperspective view of the tension device. Fig. 8 is a detail view showingone of the supporting-wheels set at a slight angle.

The numeral 1 designates theframe of the machine, which consists of twoseparated metallic strips connected together at their top portions. Itwill be observed that the strips near their lower ends are offsetlaterally from the vertical axis of the machine-th at is, a line drawnthrough the center of the twist ing-tubes, to be" described presently.The object of this arrangement will appear more fully hereinafter.

The journal-blocks 5 are located between the portions of the frame andsecured thereto at proper distances apart vertically. Thetwisting-wheels are shown at 6, the same having sprocket-teeth, and theyare secured to twisting-tubes 7, consisting, preferably, of

pieces of gas-pipe, to which said wheels are riveted or otherwisesecured. Said tubes are somewhat elongated and project beyond the boxes.

The numeral 6 designates spring-cotters or twisting-pins, which passthrough the hubs diametrically thereof, and said spring-cottersaccomplish the twisting of the wires. It will be seen that the length ofthe twistingwheels and hubs is sufficient to insure a proper twist ofthe wires. By having the spring-cotters in the tubes, the latter beingonly an inch in diameter, any splice of wire may readily pass throughsaid tubes, and, further, the wires will firmly hold a picket of athickness equal to or greater than the thickness of the spring-cotter 6.

At the upper end of the frame there is a laterally-extending arm 8, andJ shaped clipbolts 9 pass through said arm and engage with portions ofthe frame. Nuts 10 are located on said bolts. By this construction thearm is securely connected to the frame and yet can be adjustedvertically as desirable. A sprocket-wheel 11 is journaled to the outerend of the arm, and a crank 12 is connected to said sprocket-wheel.

The numeral 13 designates a sprocket-chain which runs over saidsprocket-wheel and the sprocket-teeth of the twisting-wheels in themanner shown, wherebyall of the twistingwheels can be rotatedsimultaneously.

The upper end of the frame is provided with a plurality of openings 14,and 15 designates a picket-gage which extends laterally from the frameand is connected to the latter by a bolt 16, which passes through one ofsaid openings. It'will be seen that the picketgage can be adjustedvertically as desirable. There are two picket-bumpers 17, ofsubstantially U shape, which have the ends of their legs secured to thespaced strips of the frame,

project from opposite sides of the shank, and

on the same are journaled spools 24, which are held in position by nuts25 on said bolts. A spindle 26 is journaled in the head 21 and has anarm 27, through which a pin 28 passes into said head, whereby the saidspindle can be held locked. The usual anchoring-wire is connected tothis spindle, while the fencewires run over the spools in a Well-knownmanner. It will be seen that by the employment of the swivel-headtwisting or tangling of the fence-wires is prevented, while with theemployment of the rollers a proper feed of the fence-wires is insured.

The manner of operating our machine will be obvious, and it is onlynecessary to state that the fence-wires pass through the tubes of thetwisting-wheels on opposite sides of the spring-cotters 6 and that thebumpers and the picket-gage insure the proper position of the picket,while the traveler steadies the latter. It is to be noted that thespringcotters can be readily removed whenever desirable, which is anadvantage. Owing to the offsetting of the rollers of the traveler thelatter is not in the way of the picket being placed in position when themachine has been pushed back from the last picket woven; but upon thepicket being placed the machine can be pushed back to bring the travelerfirmly against said picket, so that it is held in position when thetwisting operation is being carried on.

It will be observed that the traveler is connected to the frame by meansof a slotted arch 29 for the purpose of changing the inclination of themachine on rough or hilly land in order that each picket may be placedin perpendicular position. The arch is located on opposite sides of theframe and connected thereto by rivets or analogous devices 30 and withthe frame 1 by means of a set-screw 31 for regulating the inclinationmentioned.

In the operation of the machine the traveler stands against the fencewhen the twisting movements are carried on and is pushed back from thefence for the insertion of the next picket, which isinserted at themachine and not at the fence to obtain a regularity of height. The frontwheel of the traveler Having thus described our invention, what isclaimed as new is- 1. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with anupright frame, of twisting-wheels having tubes journaled in the frame,an arm, bolts adj ustably connecting the arm to said frame whereby thearm may be moved Vertically, awheel journaled on said arm, a crankconnected to said wheel, and a chain running over said wheel and thetwisting-wheels, substantially as described.

2. In a wire-fence machine, the combination with a frame comprisingupright portions, of twisti11g-wheels having tubes carried by the frame,an arm, J-shaped clip-bolts adjustably connecting the arm to the saidframe whereby said arm may be moved vertically, a wheel journaled tosaid arm, a crank carried by the wheel, and a chain running over saidwheel and the twisting-wheels.

3. A tension device for wire fences, comprising a shank, boltsprojecting out therefrom, a head rotatably connected to the shank, atransverse spindle journaled in the head, an arm rigid on one end ofsaid spindle, and a pin removably inserted in registering openings inthe arm and head, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof We have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN DEWITT. LESLIE C. JOLLY.

Witnesses:

WV. H. Cox, V. D. RAY.

